Tuesday, November 7, 2006

Open Wheel Refuge

The American Le Mans Series hosted their season finale at Laguna Seca a few weekends ago, Since then a few interesting tidbits involving next year’s season have came to light…
As previously announced, Honda will join the swelling ranks of the LMP2 (Le Mans Prototype) category with three factory backed Acura powered entries. Current Andretti Green Racing (AGR) IRL team owner Michael Andretti will field one team alongside Grand-Am team owner/driver Adrian Fernandez. The third team features Andy Wallace aboard the Highcroft Racing (Duncan Dayton) entry…
At the SEMA show in Los Vegas, AGR announced that its one car LMP2 effort (Courage chassis) would be spearheaded by ex-IRL AGR team driver Bryan Herta. AGR IRL driver Dario Franchitti will partner Herta in selected events with Franchitti’s younger brother Mario doing the rest of the driving chores…
Roger Penske will return for his sophomore season, fielding two Porsche Spyders once again in the LMP2 category. Rumours abound over a Penske driver line-up shuffle. Current Penske drivers may depart for rides aboard Audi’s LMP1 juggernaut. Meanwhile Porsche Spyders are to be made available for privateers with deep pockets in 2007…
Bobby Rahal and team co-owner David Letterman have announced plans to compete in ALMS in 2007. Rahal/Letterman will field either one or two Porsche 911 RSR’s in the GT-2 category next season. Driver line-up TBA…
While the International media focused upon the retirement of 7 times World Champion Michael Schumacher, not much was made of Sports Car legend James Weaver’s retirement. Posting “Schumacher like-numbers,” Weaver amassed an amazing 100 career victories, 200 podiums and 67 pole positions during a 20 year career with Dyson Racing…